A Groom's Promise

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “Maybell,” came her father’s voice.

  Jerking slightly, she looked away from Jack and saw her father’s disapproving frown.

  “I need to ask you something,” her pa said without glancing at Jack.

  Face warm, she nodded and rose to her feet. “That should be enough ointment,” she told Jack. She retrieved the lid then screwed it on as she left the room.

  Her pa followed her to the mudroom, holding his tongue until she closed the door so they could talk in private. Whatever he wanted to say, she’d rather not have Jack overhear.

  After she set the jar back where it belonged, she turned to him. “I only brought him into the house because I didn’t think he’d wait for me to bring the ointment out to the barn.”

  “It’s not that he was alone in the house with you,” he replied. “I know he wouldn’t hurt you.”

  “Then why are you upset?”

  “You needn’t be encouraging him.”

  “Encouraging him?”

  “You called him handsome. A man hears a woman talking like that, and he’s bound to get ideas.”

  Well, that was good. She wanted Jack to get ideas. Ideas of her in a wedding dress, walking toward him down the aisle, kissing her as his bride…

  “Maybell.”

  She blinked and turned her attention back to her pa. “Sorry. What did you say?”

  He let out a long sigh. “Please tell me you’re not smitten with him.”

  “I know I shouldn’t make it so easy, but he’s such a nice man, Pa. He’s sweet and kind and honorable. In my heart, I know he’d make a good husband.”

  “That may be true, but it doesn’t mean he has to be your husband.”

  “But I want him to be.”

  He shook his head. “Maybell, I’m your father, and I know what’s good for you. You need a man who can stand up and lead, someone who is capable of managing a farm, someone who can act when the time demands it.”

  “He can do that.”

  “He’s done nothing to prove it.”

  “That’s because he’s a hired hand. You’re the one who owns the land and everything on it. If he married me, then he’d have ownership in it, too, and then he’d feel comfortable asserting himself.”

  “I know men, Maybell. If a man can’t take the reins before he’s married, he can’t do it after.” She opened her mouth to argue, but he held his hand up to stop her. “I’m your father. I have your best interest at heart. Now, I need to get ready to head to town. Then I’ll tell Jack to get dressed in his Sunday best, so we can find out what happened to Hugh.”

  Without waiting for her to respond, he went back into the house.

  Chapter Eight

  Later that afternoon, Jack held onto the seat of the buckboard wagon as Archie led the horses up to Alex Boyer’s residence. The place was bigger than any house Jack had been to up to this point in his life. His father would have envied Alex’s wealth, even if it wasn’t as fancy as some of the homes back in Virginia. He wondered what Hugh thought of staying out here. Hugh was always more social than him. He did well with people. No doubt, he got along with the owners.

  Archie reached the house and pulled the horses to a stop, not saying anything to Jack as he hopped down from the buckboard. Taking a deep breath, Jack adjusted the tie on his gray suit. He didn’t understand why Archie insisted he dress up just to go look for his brother. It wasn’t like they were going to church or some other fancy occasion. But he wore it to appease the old man, especially after what had happened in the parlor.

  He wasn’t sure what it was, exactly that displeased Archie. He hadn’t been doing anything improper with Maybell. All she’d done was put ointment on his thumb and talk to him.

  A woman came out of the house and hurried over to them. Good heavens. She wasn’t going to come up to him and start talking, was she? Jack eyed her warily as he ran through what he could say, but she went over to Archie instead of him. Relieved, he exhaled.

  This was ridiculous. All he’d had to do was say hello. It wouldn’t have been difficult. But if she’d wanted to keep talking, he would have run into problems.

  Once more, he adjusted the tie around his neck. It wasn’t getting tighter. He knew it wasn’t. But that’s how it felt. Archie had no idea how hard this was for him. First, the people in town and now these strangers at this place. It was taking all his willpower not to run and hide.

  What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he be like everyone else? No one else panicked at the thought of meeting new people. Maybe everyone in Virginia was right. Maybe there was no hope for someone like him.

  Archie told him to get down from the wagon. Knowing he had no option but to obey, Jack did, glad when he didn’t do something to further embarrass himself, like fall on the ground.

  Archie and the woman—Bonnie—kept talking, but Jack was only paying half attention, giving the obligatory greeting when Archie introduced him to her. As they continued talking, he learned Hugh wasn’t feeling well, though it didn’t sound serious. Even so, Jack wondered if this meant Hugh would be going back with them or not. His gut tightened at the thought. He hoped Hugh was well enough to go back with them. Archie seemed happier when Hugh was around.

  When Archie was done talking to Bonnie, he went into the house, and Jack followed. The lady who greeted them when they were in the house was none other than the one on the train, the one whose hat Hugh had ruined, thanks to Jack’s carelessness. He shifted as much as he could behind the coat tree, using his hat to better hide his face. With any luck, she wouldn’t recognize him. Though if Hugh was here, he supposed the damage was already done. She’d been so upset on the train, and poor Hugh had to stay here with her.

  “I hear you came to see the baby,” Winifred told Archie. Then, to Jack’s horror, she added, “It’s good to see you again, Jack.”

  “Jack, she’s talking to you,” Archie said.

  Jack shook his head. There was no way he was going to show himself. Not after what happened on the train.

  Archie sighed. “Come out from there. You’re embarrassing me.” He shifted his attention to Winifred. “I’m sorry, my hired hand is a little bashful.”

  “Yes, I know. You don’t need to apologize,” she replied.

  Though she sounded gracious, there was an underlying exasperation in her tone, much like others had used when they didn’t understand why Jack wasn’t as outgoing as they expected him to be.

  “Get over here, Jack,” Archie insisted. “This is no way to act.”

  The sooner he went in there, the sooner it’d be over. Jack didn’t dare make eye contact with her as he went toward the sofa to sit next to Archie. He tripped on a small roll in the rug and stumbled, bumping into the marble table.

  “I’m-I’m sorry,” he mumbled then sat on the sofa before he could knock into her chair or—worse—ruin another one of her hats.

  Clearing his throat, Archie said, “In addition to seeing the baby, we’re here to check on Hugh Warren. He works for me, and we were wondering if he would be staying another night or returning with us.”

  “He’s upstairs,” Winifred said. “I’ll have Mr. Crowley check on him and have him come down. I must warn you, though. He hasn’t been feeling well.” She leaned forward and reached for the butler bell, which was underneath the circular table. Footsteps creaked on the wooden planks, and Winifred raised her head. “Mr. Crowley, would you tell Mr. Hugh Warren he has…” She paused. “I’m sorry, I forgot to ask your name.”

  “Archie Smith.”

  “Would you tell Mr. Hugh Warren that Mr. Archie Smith and his brother are here to see him?”

  The butler nodded and left.

  Jack closed his eyes, praying Hugh would be well enough to go home with him and Archie. Between Archie and Winifred, things couldn’t get worse.

  After a couple of awkward minutes, someone said, “Miss Winifred Preston, I hear you wanted to see me.”

  Recognizing his brother’s voice, Jack opened his eyes and looked
over at Hugh. His hopes plummeted. Hugh was abnormally pale, except for his red nose, and Hugh sounded congested. This wasn’t good. There was no way Hugh was going back with him and Archie tonight.

  “Yes,” she said, “but it’s them who wanted you, not me.”

  When Hugh wobbled, Archie quickly got up and led Hugh to a nearby chair. “Are you alright? You look mighty white.”

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve sent word about what happened. The birth and…” His voice trailed off. He coughed and coughed again. Glancing over at Jack, he asked, “You doing alright without me? I hope I didn’t scare you when I didn’t come home last night.”

  As much as Jack wanted to beg his brother to go back to Archie’s tonight, he couldn’t. Not in all good conscience. Hugh was in no condition to travel. He needed to stay here and get better.

  Hugh shivered and glanced at Winifred. “As you probably picked up during our trip, he’s quite bashful, but he’s a good worker, wouldn’t you say, Mr. Smith?”

  “Right,” Archie said, bringing Jack’s attention back to him. “Very much so.” He studied Hugh a minute. “Bonnie said she’s bringing over a special brew later if you ain’t feeling better.”

  “Oh, I can’t stay another night. I already lost yesterday and today.”

  “You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying right here until you get better,” Winifred said.

  From there, she beckoned Archie and Jack to help him back up the stairs. Jack’s eyebrows rose at the determined tone in her voice. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. She’d had no trouble speaking her mind on the train. Why should she here? Not all women were afraid to express their opinion, though his father would never have let his mother get away with it. Thankfully for her, Hugh was nothing like their father.

  After it became clear she won the argument, Jack helped Archie carry Hugh up the stairs and to his room.

  Chapter Nine

  Two days later, Maybell took her time getting ready for church. She hadn’t had a good reason to wear her best dress the other days of the week, but she did today. She wondered if Jack liked the color yellow because that was the color of her dress. After examining her reflection in the mirror, she picked up her brush and worked it through her newly washed curly tresses until all the tangles were out.

  She set the brush down and gathered her yellow ribbon. Her ma once told her that her hair was one of her loveliest features since it was so thick and long, so she wanted to take a break from all her buns and show it off. She tied the ribbon, pulling her hair away from her face as she did so. Her locks fell halfway down her back.

  She stepped away from the mirror and turned around, scanning the full length of her dress. Good. Everything was in place. She returned to the dresser and put the cameo her parents had given her around her neck.

  She took a deep breath to settle her racing heart. She’d never been so nervous in her entire life. None of the other hired hands had affected her this way. Jack truly was one of a kind.

  “Everything will be alright,” she whispered. “Just relax and enjoy the day.”

  She went to the kitchen and stirred the oatmeal. As she planned, it was ready. She filled up three bowls then added a few slices of apples and some honey for flavor. Then she poured coffee into a cup. After collecting the bowl and cup, she headed for the front door when her pa called out her name.

  She turned to face him. “Hi, Pa. I’m finished with breakfast. I’ll be right back to put the bowls and cups out.”

  “You aren’t going to take another meal out to Jack, are you?”

  “Well…” She’d been doing so for the past couple days, though her pa hadn’t been particularly happy about it.

  “He needs to come in here and eat with us. It’s only right.”

  “He’ll eat with us when Hugh gets back.”

  “No, Maybell, he’ll do it today.”

  “But he’s shy.”

  “I don’t care.” He sighed, taking his hat off and running his fingers through his white hair. “He’s a man, and he needs to act like it. I don’t want you to treat him like a baby.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him she wasn’t doing that, but she could tell he wouldn’t accept such a reply.

  “If he wants to eat, he can come in here,” her pa continued, placing his hat back on his head. “And when he’s hungry enough, he will. Now, set his bowl on the table, and we’ll have breakfast before we leave.”

  With a glance out the window, she saw Jack wasn’t on his way to the house. Nor would he be. Her gaze went to the bowl and cup. The oatmeal and coffee would go to waste. There was no way he’d come in here to eat, and quite frankly, she couldn’t blame him. While none of the other hired hands had been intimidated by her pa, she could understand why Jack was. Her pa was demanding he do things he wasn’t comfortable with. What he needed was for someone to gently pull him out of his shell.

  “Come on,” her pa said, interrupting her thoughts. “We need to go to church.”

  Sighing, she set the bowl and cup on the table where Jack was supposed to sit then put their bowls and cups on the table in their respective places. After they sat down, she asked, “Will you insist Jack go to church?”

  “It’s only proper he go,” her pa replied, lifting his spoon. “Maybell, the last thing you should do is coddle him, so I want it to stop. Understand?”

  She nodded, even as her heart grew heavy.

  “You should give serious consideration to Hugh,” her pa said. “Now, there’s someone who deserves you. He’s smart, he’s got integrity, and he’s dependable. He’s just as handsome as Jack is, too.”

  She chose not to respond. Instead, she focused on her meal. This was the first awkward meal she’d had with her father. She didn’t understand why her pa was so opposed to Jack. Yes, she knew he didn’t like the way Jack was quiet, but some preferred to be by themselves. Her pa was social, and her ma had been social, too. Even Maybell enjoyed entertaining visitors and going to social activities. But not everyone did. And Jack just happened to be one of them.

  She couldn’t change her pa any more than she could change Jack. But maybe she could help ease the tension by putting in a joke if Jack did or said something that might make her pa find him lacking. If she gave her pa another way to think of things, maybe he would begin to see Jack the way she did. Maybe he would realize the faults he saw really weren’t that big of a deal after all.

  Once they were done with breakfast, her pa went to get the buckboard ready, and she cleaned the dishes. She had finished by the time he pulled up to the front. Curious to see if he’d really talked Jack into going, she peered out the kitchen window and saw Jack on the seat. He was slipping his finger under his collar as if the tie was suffocating him. The poor dear. It was all nerves. That’s what it was.

  She retrieved her hat from the hook by the door and stepped onto the porch, closing the door softly behind her. Jack looked her way, and she couldn’t be sure, but she thought his gaze lingered on hers longer than it should have. Of course, it could have been wishful thinking. She wanted so much for him to find her attractive—had even gone to great lengths to be so.

  “Move on over, and I’ll help her in,” her pa told Jack as she approached.

  “That’s alright, Pa,” she said. “I can sit between you two.” She stopped by Jack’s side, hoping her pa would assume it was because he happened to be closer to her.

  Thankfully, Jack understood she planned to get in from his side. He made a move to get down but tripped. He almost landed face first on the ground, but he caught himself just in time and landed on his feet.

  “Why, I’ve never seen anyone in such a hurry to go to church,” she teased in an effort to lighten the mood so her pa wouldn’t say anything about Jack’s clumsiness.

  She glanced up at her pa and saw him chuckle. Good. Her ploy had worked.

  To her surprise, Jack used a sign Pete often used to indicate he would help her into the buckboard. She didn’t think her pa caught
it, which was just as well. He most likely wouldn’t approve of Jack using signs when he could very well talk. Pete had an excuse. He couldn’t hear. But she didn’t think her pa would allow Jack the same grace.

  She smiled at Jack. “Thank you.”

  She placed her hand in his and let him help her up into the wagon. He had a nice hand. Firm and gentle. Not slimy like Bobby’s or tense like Caleb’s had been. She wouldn’t mind touching Jack’s hand longer, but she didn’t dare. Not now anyway. If she married him, she could hold his hand for as long as she wanted to.

  She settled onto the seat, tucking the skirt of her dress around her legs so the wind wouldn’t blow it up. Jack hopped back onto the seat, and she sensed his relief at no longer having to sit right next to her pa. Her sitting between them was the best recourse for everyone.

  Her pa led the horses forward, and she bumped against Jack. It hadn’t been intentional. The initial jerk of the wagon often yanked her a bit, but in this case, it was either bump into her pa or Jack, and she would much rather touch Jack.

  She knew she could wiggle back in her spot now that the horses were going at a steady pace. But the road was bumpy at places, jerking her around here and there, so really, she supposed pressing up against Jack’s side couldn’t be helped. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind the fact that she was so close to him. And that was a promising sign. Maybe, just maybe, he was going to be her husband.

  ***

  After they returned from church, Jack changed his clothes. He never did care much for the restrictive suit, and it had been especially difficult, what with Maybell sitting so close to him on the buckboard. She was very soft. It was nice to feel her pressed up against him.

  So nice, in fact, he had to make sure he sat in a way so no one noticed his erection. If her pa were to figure out the kind of thoughts he had about her, he’d really be upset with him. It was bad enough to know the man already didn’t approve of him. It’d be much worse if he knew Jack entertained thoughts about her he didn’t need to be having.